“It is not lawful for you to have her.”

John stood up for what was right and wrong.John the Baptist, the fearless champion
of truth and justice?

John did something that cost him his life.Beheading, like crucifixion, was a shameful death.

Blessed Virgin Mary

St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop & doctor

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24

Then the priests and the prophets

Said to the lea­d­ers of the people: “This man must die for he has spoken against the city as you have heard with your own ears!”

 Jeremiah replied, “I have been sent by Yahweh to prophesy against this House and this city all that you have heard.   Hence, reform your ways and your deeds and obey Yahweh your God that he may change  his mind and not bring upon you the destruction he had in­­ten­ded.

 As for me I am in your hands; do with me whatever you consider just and right.   But know that I am inno­cent and if you take my life you commit a crime that is a curse on yourselves, on the city and the peo­ple. In truth it was Yahweh who sent me to say all that I said in your hearing.”

Then the leaders, backed by the people, said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve death; he spoke to us in the Name of Yahweh.”

 As for Jeremiah he was be­friended by Ahi­kam, son of Shaphan, and was not handed over to those who wanted him put to death.

 

Ps 69:15-16,30-31, 33-34

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

 

 ＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

Mattehw 14:1-12

 At that time the news about Jesus reached King Herod.  And he said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. John has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Herod had, in fact, ordered that John be arrested, bound in chains and put in prison be­cause of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.  For John had said to him, “It is not right for you to have her as wife.” Herod wanted to kill him but he did not dare, because he feared the people who regarded John as a prophet.

 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst of the guests; she so delighted Herod   that he promised under oath to give her anything she asked.   The girl, following the advice of her mother, said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a dish.”

The king was very displeased, but because he had made this promise under oath in the presence of the guests, he ordered it to be given her.   So he had John beheaded in pris­on  and his head brought on a dish and given to the girl. The girl then took it to her mother.

Then John’s disciples came to take his body and bury it. And they went to bring the news to Jesus.

 

  Gospel Reflection：

 Truth That Haunts

It is said that one who commits a crime would always leave a clue to be caught, unconsciously so, for we are made for Truth and our being rebels falsehood. Whether the above claim about the clue is true or not, our crimes and falsehood do leave their painful mark in our mind and heart, constantly hurting us.

This is what we see in King Herod. Though he beheaded and thereby silenced John the Baptist, John comes alive with many heads and tongues in the mind of Herod, tormenting him emotionally and spiritually.

Herod’s guilt keeps eating him away. Thus when he hears of Jesus, he is convinced that it is John himself who has come back to life. Who can save us from such predicament? Only a genuine confession of sins and reparation, and a humble return to truthful ways can heal us of such internal wounds. And this is the Gospel: repent and turn back to the Lord.